A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

Yuanqi Imperial Palace, Imperial Study—

After the group finished discussing state affairs, Emperor Yuan asked them to sit down, have some tea, and chat for a while.

"Ah Ling, I heard that the Prime Minister has entrusted his child to the General's residence for care?"

Yuan Huaijun calmly put down the teacup in his hand and looked up at the man in front of him with a faint gaze.

"Yes, Your Majesty. A few days ago, my sister and I went out for a stroll and happened to meet the youngest son of Prime Minister Lou. The boy was well-behaved and took an instant liking to Yan'er. However, Prime Minister Lou and Prince Ze were away in Lizhou and had no time to look after him, so they entrusted the child to the General's Mansion for care."

Yuan Huaize continued to casually wave his fan, a faint smile playing on his lips. Although he had many doubts about Xin Moyan, he had heard Lou Shenghan discussing her during his trip to Lizhou these past few days. He found it strange that even Lou Shenghan was so concerned about her.

"Prime Minister Lou did not attend the morning court today. He must have gone to your residence to pick up his child. Brother Ling, I did not expect that Prime Minister Lou's son and Cousin Yan'er would be so close. I have heard Prime Minister Lou mention Cousin Yan'er many times these past few days. I suppose the two of them get along well!"

Xin Moling's expression changed drastically. When did Yuan Huaize address Yan'er so affectionately? Moreover, Lou Shenghan had been mentioning Yan'er frequently these past few days? Were they after Yan'er?

Yuan Huailie sat silently to the side, his expression not very good. He hadn't expected that the woman's temperament would change so much after she fell into the water, and that even they would mention Xin Moyan from time to time.

Seeing that the others were all preoccupied with their own thoughts, Yuan Huaijun lowered his gaze, turned to Yuan Huailie, and asked, "Alie, how are the preparations for Mother's birthday coming up in a few days?"

Upon hearing the emperor's question, Yuan Huailie cleared his throat and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, in five days it will be the Empress Dowager's birthday, and it will also be the first grand birthday banquet since Your Majesty ascended the throne. Your Majesty has already ordered all departments to make preparations. However, the Minister of Rites took leave a few days ago, and the Prime Minister and my fifth brother went to Lizhou temporarily, so there are still some matters that have not been properly resolved. I will definitely complete the preparations in the next few days, so please rest assured, Your Majesty."

The Minister of Rites was the same man who had harassed Xin Moyan at the lantern festival that night. Fang Chengwei's father, after being sent back to the Minister's mansion that night, had only been recuperating for a few days, but he was still lustful. He forcibly took the daughter of the steward of the mansion to his room, and just as he was about to do something improper, he unexpectedly watched helplessly as his manhood became limp.

He then sought out renowned doctors throughout the capital, but they all said that the illness had come on suddenly and that they could not find any problems with it. They were all at a loss. The Minister of Rites had only one son, who was still unmarried and had no children. Overwhelmed with anxiety, he fell seriously ill and never recovered.

"Well, the Ministry of Rites is indispensable in preparing for the birthday banquet. If Fang Chang is really too busy, then let the Prime Minister and the Fifth Prince help you."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xin Moling sat to the side without saying much. He was away fighting wars most of the year, and court affairs were not of much concern to him. When it was his aunt Empress Dowager's birthday, he could bring Yan'er to the palace to offer his congratulations. However, Lou Shenghan was not attending court today. Was he going to the mansion to find Yan'er? Why do all these people like to go to the mansion when he is in court?

Thinking of this, Xin Moling immediately stood up, bowed to Yuan Huaijun, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, if there are no other official matters, I will take my leave."

"Yes, Ah Ling, remember to bring... Dan Hua to the palace in a few days to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday together."

"Wei Chen accepts the order."

As soon as Xin Moling stepped out of the palace gate, he had someone fetch him a horse. He touched the jade pendant at his waist, quickly mounted the horse, and rode away.

The three brothers in the Imperial Study had not yet left. The news that Yuan Huaiyu had been thrown from Yunxiang Tower by Xin Moling yesterday had spread throughout the capital in just one day. However, since Xin Moling was here, the three of them tacitly agreed not to mention it, after all, Xin Moling never disciplined innocent people.

"Hehe! My three royal brothers!!!"

Suddenly, Yuan Huaiyu poked his head in from outside the door, smiling brightly and sunnyly, but his left hand was wrapped in thick gauze.

"Hey! Little Six, I've only been away from the capital for a few days, how did you get injured? How did you fall?"

He then sneaked into the study, quickly closed the door, and moved with only one hand, making his movements look ridiculously comical.

Yuan Huaijun stared at his youngest brother, stretched out his fingers, and rhythmically tapped the table, his tone casual.

"Xiao Liu, did you come in after Ah Ling left?"

Having his secret exposed, Yuan Huaiyu gave an embarrassed laugh and skipped over to sit down in front of his brothers.

"Xiao Liu, what happened?"

Yuan Huailie glanced at him. Xin Moling would never hit people randomly, especially not a member of the royal family.

Upon hearing his third brother's question, Yuan Huaiyu suddenly slapped his thigh, leaned forward, and said mysteriously, "My three imperial brothers, I have a secret from the inner palace. Would you like to hear it?"

"Sixth Brother, don't tell me you're injured like this because of some so-called secrets of the palace? Besides, what secrets could there possibly be in this palace?"

Yuan Huaize took out his folding fan and tapped him on the head. Although this sixth brother had a lot of romantic affairs, he was indeed simple-minded.

He didn't answer, but instead reached out his right hand and patted Yuan Huailie's shoulder comfortingly, saying with great emotion, "Third Brother, I never expected you to be so magnanimous, enduring until now before finally breaking off your engagement with Cousin Mo Yan."

"Xiao Liu, what are you saying?"

Yuan Huailie frowned, full of confusion. What did this have to do with him and Xin Moyan?

The other two were also very curious, staring at his face, waiting for him to say what he would say next.

"Brothers, I only learned today that Lou Xiaobao, the son of Prime Minister Lou, was actually born to my cousin Mo Yan."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huaize raised his fan and slammed it against the man's forehead.

"Xiao Liu, have you hurt your brain?"

"Fifth Brother, why did you hit me? I'm telling the truth, Lou Xiaobao really is Xin Moyan's illegitimate son."

Yuan Huaijun and Yuan Huailie fell silent, not because they were shocked by the news, but because they felt that their younger brother seemed to have some problems with his head.

"Sixth Brother, you can't just say that here. I don't care how you slander Cousin Yan'er outside, but you can't use such a matter of innocence as an excuse. If Mother finds out you spoke of her niece like that, hmph~"

Yuan Huaiyu subconsciously shrank his neck, but still insisted on explaining, "Brothers, I'm telling the truth. Yesterday I asked Xiaobao, and he said that his father told him to call his cousin 'mother,' and Cousin Moyan also admitted to it herself."

"Is this really happening?"

"Yes, and since Cousin Mo Yan broke off the engagement, Prime Minister Lou's relationship with the General's Mansion has become much closer. I guess the two of them must have rekindled their old flame!"

"..."

There was silence for a long time, except for Yuan Huaiyu who kept rambling on and on, but no one paid him any attention.

"Brothers, why do you all look like that?"